Easy Rider Thruway opening set mid-October
CRANBERRY TWP — The MSA Thruway is just a few weeks away from its inaugural drive-through and the subsequent traffic and economic benefits the township projects the tunnel will bring.
Mike Malak, township engineering and environmental services director, updated the supervisors Thursday on the status of the more than $12 million tunnel project.
“MSA, we keep getting closer and closer to completion,” he said. “(I am) looking forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Oct. 14 and for things to open up shortly thereafter.”
Currently, the Route 228 underpass connecting Cranberry Woods and Cranberry Springs — which comes along with new off- and on-ramps to northbound Interstate 79 and two roundabouts — is slated to open in mid-October, according to township manager Dan Santoro.In addition to the traffic benefits — township officials estimate roughly a one-third reduction in Route 228 eastbound traffic at the Cranberry Springs and Woods intersection; a nearly one-quarter shift of vehicles from Route 228 to the Thruway; and a 40% drop in queueing vehicles at the I-79 northbound off-ramp — Cranberry expects the tunnel will bring positive economic impacts too.Santoro said it will help in the building out of the Cranberry Woods Business Park and the township expects the creation of 2,300 full-time jobs as a result of the Thruway.Construction began on the project in early 2020, and is, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, still on schedule. Planning for the tunnel began more than three decades ago with the 1995 township Master Plan.And, Supervisor Bruce Hezlep said, the Thruway is “a good project coming to an end.” But its benefits, as the township projects, are just slated to begin.
Supervisors on Thursday also approved a change to the township zoning ordinance that will tweak development along a segment of Freedom Road.Prior to Thursday, the southern Community Character Development overlay district along Freedom Road — which spans roughly from Bucks to Powell roads — had the requirement for an alley behind the buildings, and restricted a building's maximum height to 25 feet.That, township planning and development director Ron Henshaw said, “didn't make sense.”First, the alley requirement would have needlessly destroyed green space.“Under that, it would be street, building, alley, street, building, alley,” he said. “The whole thing would be pavement.”Second, the building height restriction was more severe than in surrounding zoning districts, according to Henshaw, as nearby buildings could be up to 35 feet tall. This amendment brings the restrictions more in line with nearby zoning areas, ultimately leading, Henshaw said, to a more cohesive building.The supervisors unanimously approved the zoning amendment.
